Virginia · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Carroll County, VA

The median household in Carroll County, VA earns $54,484 a year ($4,540/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $914/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $36,560 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 1.1% above the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$54,484$4,540 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$914HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)101.1+1.1% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate17.2¢per kWh · EIA Residential VA
Census Population29,157Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Carroll County, VA

Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$914Monthly market rent
Share of gross income20.1%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$36,560To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,362At 30% of $54,484
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Carroll County, VA

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Carroll County-Galax city, VA HUD Nonmetro FMR Area. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent Schedule for Carroll County, VA
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$765$9,180$30,60016.8%
1-Bedroom Apartment$770$9,240$30,80017%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$914$10,968$36,56020.1%
3-Bedroom Home$1,271$15,252$50,84028%
4-Bedroom Home$1,481$17,772$59,24032.6%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Carroll County, VA →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Carroll County, VA

Based on the local median household income of $54,484/year ($4,540/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,270/moRent ($914 2-BR), utilities (~$155/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,362/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 101.1 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$908/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Virginia

Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Virginia state income tax based on the local median baseline.

$54,484
$20,000$110,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$54,484
Net 80%
Fed 8%
VA 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$43,639After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,637Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,678Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate19.9%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$4,358 / yr
Virginia state income tax$2,319 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,168 / yr

Compare earnings and living costs across Virginia with official federal datasets:

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Carroll County, VA

What is the median household income in Carroll County, VA?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Carroll County, VA is $54,484 per year (approximately $4,540 per month).

What is the average rent in Carroll County, VA?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Carroll County, VA are $765 for a studio, $770 for 1 bedroom, $914 for 2 bedrooms, $1,271 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,481 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Carroll County, VA compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Carroll County, VA is 101.1 (1.1% higher than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Carroll County, VA?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($914/month) in Carroll County, VA requires a minimum gross household income of $36,560 per year ($3,047 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Carroll County, VA?

For a typical household earning the median income of $54,484/year ($4,540/month) in Carroll County, VA, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,270/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,362/month to discretionary spending, and $908/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Carroll County, VA?

Residential electricity rates in Virginia average 17.2¢ per kWh according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). For an average home using 900 kWh per month, the estimated electric bill is approximately $155 per month.